[0001] This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to adhesive-applying
apparatus whereby a layer of moisture-curable adhesive in a molten state can be applied
to a surface portion of a workpiece presented to an operating locality of the apparatus.
[0002] There is described in EP-A0065875 an adhesive-applying apparatus comprising a tapering
block which constitutes a flexible blade member, said block terminating in a narrow
spreading surface or spreading edge and one, adhesive-guiding, surface of the block
being concave about an axis which extends transversely of the spreading edge, the
arrangement being such that, when the adhesive-applying apparatus is in use, adhesive
is supplied to the adhesive-guiding surface, which is arranged "upstream" (in terms
of the direction of relative movement between the nozzle and a workpiece to which
adhesive is being applied) of the spreading edge, whereby a pool of adhesive is formed
within the confines of the concavity and the spreading edge acts to control the thickness
of the adhesive layer applied to the workpiece.
[0003] In using such an apparatus, the workpiece is presented manually to the apparatus
and thus, it will be appreciated, reliance must be placed upon the skill of the operator
in controlling the pressure by which the workpiece is urged against the flexible blade
member, which in turn controls the thickness of the applied layer of adhesive. Of
course, as the operator becomes skilled, a consistent layer thickness becomes achievable,
but initially achieving such consistency is difficult, especially in the case of presentation
of an irregular non-flat workpiece, e.g. a shoe bottom, to the apparatus.
[0004] It is thus the object of the present invention to provide an improved adhesive-applying
apparatus in the operation of which reliance upon the operator's skill and dexterity
for achieving consistency in the applied layer thickness is reduced.
[0005] This object is resolved in accordance with the present invention, in an apparatus
as set out in the first paragraph above, by the provision of a cylindrical transfer
roll arranged at the operating locality, together with heating means for heating the
transfer roll, and drive means for effecting rotation of the transfer roll, a flexible
blade member terminating in a straight edge which is held in line contact engagement
with the surface of the transfer roll, the "upstream" (in terms of the direction of
rotation of the transfer roll) face of said member being inclined at an acute angle
to a plane which lies tangential to the surface of the transfer roll and passes through
the line of contact with the blade member, and two wall elements arranged one at either
side of the blade member and extending "upstream" therefrom and sealingly engaging
with the transfer roll, thus to form with the blade member and the surface of the
transfer roll a reservoir to which molten adhesive can be supplied from a supply thereof
and in which it can be contained, the arrangement being such that as the transfer
roll is caused to rotate a layer of molten adhesive, the thickness of which is determined
by the flexible blade member, is formed on the surface of the transfer roll and carried
thereby to the operating locality.
[0006] It will thus be appreciated that, by the combination of a flexible blade member and
a transfer roll firstly the applied pressure therebetween is now constant, or at least
no longer dependent upon the pressure applied by the operator, so that the thickness
of the adhesive layer applied to the transfer roll can be maintained consistent, and
secondly the roll provides a surface with which the operator can more readily align
the portion of a workpiece to which an adhesive layer is to be applied; this has been
found especially suitable for the application of the adhesive layer to irregular surfaces
such as the bottoms of shoes. Moreover, in the adhesive-applying apparatus in accordance
with the invention, the formation of a reservoir of adhesive "upstream" (in terms
of the direction of rotation of the transfer roll) of the flexible blade member can
now be achieved with a more simply configured blade member acting in cooperation with
the two wall elements and the surface of the transfer roll, and in particular the
two wall elements more positively determine the width of the adhesive layer ansfer
roll, and in particular the two wall elements more positively determine the width
of the adhesive layer applied to the transfer roll. In this way, not only is the thickness
of the adhesive layer applied to the shoe more controllable but also the width thereof.
[0007] It is of course desirable that the thickness of the adhesive-layer can be pre-set,
e.g. according to the type of material to which it is applied, and to this end preferably
blade member control means is provided whereby the force holding the flexible blade
member in engagement with the transfer roll can be varied, thus to vary the thickness
of the layer of molten adhesive formed on the surface of the transfer roll. More particularly,
in a preferred embodiment of the apparatus the flexible blade member is in the form
of a tapering block which terminates in said straight edge, and in this case the blade
member control means conveniently comprises a presser member which is engageable with
the "downstream" (in terms of the direction of rotation of the transfer thereof and
is movable in a direction towards or away from the transfer roll.
[0008] The molten adhesive may be supplied to the reservoir in any suitable manner but,
as in the case of the apparatus described in EP-A-0065875, preferably the flexible
blade member is formed with an internal passageway connected to an adhesive supply
and opening into said "upstream" face of the blade member. In this way, it will be
appreciated, the blade member itself forms part of the adhesive supply system, and
in particular forms the final part of that system. This is of course advantageous
in that when the apparatus is left for an extended period and the "exposed" adhesive,
i.e. the adhesive in the final part of the supply path, cures by exposure to atmosphere,
the flexibility of the blade member, in which the final part is provided, enables
the cured adhesive readily to be removed.
[0009] Further to facilitate the clearing of the adhesive supply path, conveniently the
flexible blade member is supported in a mounting therefor, said mounting having an
internal passageway which is aligned with the internal passageway of said member when
the latter is supported in the mounting, the blade member and its mounting being provided
with conical mating faces, and the apical angle of the projecting one of said faces
being greater than that of the receiving one thus to form a seal about the junction
of the internal passageways. In this way, as the flexible blade member is clamped
in its mounting, the difference between the two apical angles causes an effective
seal about the internal passageway of the flexible blade member. Furthermore, preferably
a closure valve is provided in the internal passageway of the holder just "upstream"
(in terms of the direction of adhesive flow) of the junction of the passageways, this
valve thus providing a cut-off for the adhesive "downstream" of which any exposed,
and thus cured, adhesive can be removed together with the blade member.
[0010] For ease of removing the cured adhesive from the flexible blade member, furthermore,
conveniently the latter is split at its end remote from the straight edge to increase
the access to the internal passageway formed therein.
[0011] The apparatus in accordance with the invention preferably further comprises adhesive
supply means comprising a heated plate having one or more apertures formed therein,
and presser means for causing engagement to take place under pressure between the
heated plate and an end face of a block of solid adhesive thus progressively to melt
the adhesive and cause the thus molten adhesive to flow through the aperture(s) for
supply as aforesaid to the reservoir, pressure control means being provided for controlling
the pressure applied by the presser means. Such pressure control means may include
operator-actuatable means for varying the pressure to be applied.
[0012] Conveniently the presser means referred to above comprises a plunger and a reversible
motor for effecting movement of the plunger, and the pressure control means comprises
a pressure sensing device for controlling the operation of the motor. Moreover, rate
control means is also preferably provided for controlling the operating speed of the
motor and thus the rate at which the plunger is caused to move under the action of
the motor; the rate control means may also be operator-actutable.
[0013] The end positions to which the plunger can be moved under the action of the motor
are preferably determined by suitable means, e.g. limit switches. Moreover, conveniently
in the operation of the apparatus actuation of the limit switch associated with the
"no adhesive" end position (i.e. the position when the block of adhesive has been
wholly melted or substantially so and supplied as aforesaid) is effective to initiate
the return of the plunger to its other end position.
[0014] The transfer roll of the apparatus in accordance with the invention preferably comprises
a core of a resilient material and an outer surface of a material which is hard in
relation to the core material and to which the adhesive exhibits low adhesion. Preferably
the material forming the outer surface of the transfer roll is polyethylene and the
material forming the core a silicone rubber. It has been found that, by providing
core material of different hardnesses, it is possible, when applying adhesive up to
the edge of a workpiece surface, accurately to locate the applied layer in relation
to said edge and, if desired, indeed around it. By the provision of the outer surface
as referred to above, it has been found that the thickness of the applied layer nevertheless
remains consistent for core materials of different hardness, and also it has been
found that, when a build-up of cured adhesive forms on the surface, it is possible
to strip the cured adhesive therefrom.
[0015] Especially because of this latter feature, it is desirable that the transfer roll
can be readily removed from the apparatus and to this end conveniently it is supported
by a split shaft arrangement of which one shaft portion is connected to a motor forming
part of the drive means for the transfer roll, and the other is mounted for pivotal
movement into and out of a position of alignment with said one shaft portion. More
particularly, the transfer roll is mounted on a tubular shaft which can be received
on the pivotally mounted shaft portion and which has one end portion engageable with
said one shaft portion by means of a pin-and-groove or like arrangement, a sleeve
portion mounted on said one shaft portion serving to maintain said one end portion
in operative engagement with said one shaft portion.
[0016] The wall elements by which the margins of the layer of adhesive transferred to the
transfer roll are determined are preferably mounted in a carrier resiliently urged
into engagement with the transfer roll; conveniently the presser member is also mounted
on said carrier, for movement in a direction towards or away from the transfer roll
as aforesaid. Furthermore, for facilitating access to the flexible blade member, conveniently
the carrier is mounted for movement between an operative position, in which the wall
elements lie at either side of the flexible blade member, and an out-of-the-way position.
[0017] Any suitable means may be provided for heating the transfer roll, but one convenient
form of such heating means comprises a pipe which is connected to a hot air source
and by which hot air can be directed on to the surface of the transfer roll. For convenience
of construction, furthermore, the pipe may be secured to the carrier, or indeed the
carrier may be mounted on the pipe, the pipe itself being mounted for pivotal movement
in a frame portion of the apparatus.
[0018] There now follows a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying
drawings, of one apparatus in accordance with the invention. It will of course be
appreciated that this apparatus has been selected for description merely by way of
exemplification of the invention and not by way of limitation thereof.
[0019] In the accommpany drawings:-
Fig. 1 is a view, in side elevation, of the apparatus in accordance with the invention,
but omitting details of adhesive supply means thereof;
Fig. 2 is a section view, on an enlarged scale, showing details of a nozzle, transfer
roll and wall elements of the apparatus,
Fig. 3 is a detailed view, in front elevation, showing the mounting of the transfer
roll; and
Figs. 4 and 4A are respectively side and fragmentary front views, showing details
of the adhesive supply means of the apparatus.
[0020] The apparatus now to be described is for use in the application of a layer of a moisture-curable
adhesive in a molten state to a surface portion of a workpiece presented to an operating
locality of the apparatus, and in particular, though not exclusively, for applying
a layer of such adhesive to marginal portions of a lasted shoe bottom for the attachment
of an outsole thereto. The apparatus thus comprises an operating locality generally
designated 10 at which is arranged a transfer roll 12 and a nozzle 14 providing a
flexible blade member 16 by which adhesive can be applied, in a layer of controlled
thickness, to the surface of the transfer roll 12. In addition, the blade member 16
is flanked by two side wall elements 18, which operate to control the width of the
layer of adhesive applied to the transfer roll 12. The blade member 16 and wall elements
18 are so arranged in relation to the transfer roll 12 as to form a reservoir into
which molten adhesive can be supplied, as will be hereinafter described, and in which
it can be contained, the arrangement being such that, as the roll 12 rotates, a layer
of molten adhesive, doctored by the blade member 16, is carried on the surface of
the roll to the operating locality.
[0021] The transfer roll 12 comprises a core 20 of resilient material and an outer, adhesive-receiving,
layer or skin 22 which is hard in relation to the hardness of the core 20 and to which
adhesive has low adhesion. Suitable materials for the core have been found to be silicone
rubbers of an appropriate hardness. For an application in which it is desired to apply
adhesive around the edge of the shoe bottom (or other workpiece surface) a relatively
soft silicone rubber, with a hardness of 25 measured on the IRHD scale has been found
satisfactory, while for applying the adhesive up to the edge of the workpiece surface
a hardness of 45 on said scale has been found satisfactory, and for applications where
it is essential to avoid cementing over the workpiece edge, a hardness of 65 measured
on said scale affords the desired control.
[0022] A suitable material for the outer skin 22 of the transfer roll 12 has been found
to be polyethylene, and in particular polyethylene tubing which can be shrunk onto
the core 20. One such polyethylene is available from Hellermann Electric of Plymouth,
Devon, England under the trade name "Helashrink".
[0023] The transfer roll 12 is constructed by mounting the core 20 on a tubular shaft 24
and securing washers 26 thereto, one at either side, whereafter the outer skin is
shrunk over the core and washers. For mounting the transfer roll 12 in the apparatus,
furthermore, a shaft 28 is provided, pivotally mounted on a frame portion 30 of the
apparatus between an operative, horizontal, position and an out-of-the-way, loading,
position, in which latter position the tubular shaft 24 of the roll 12 can be slid
onto the shaft 28. Opposite the shaft 28, when in its operative position is a drive
shaft 32 which carries a sleeve 34 spring-urged towards the shaft 28 but retractable
by hand. The drive shaft 32 has, at its end, a diagonal plate-like projection which
can be received in a correspondingly slotted end of the tubular shaft 24, thus to
create a driving engagement between the shafts 24, 32, whereby the roll is driven.
The sleeve 34, which is retracted to allow the shaft 28 to reach its operative position,
is released to hold the shaft in said position and thus hold the transfer roll 12
in operative position and in driving engagement with the drive shaft 32. The drive
shaft 32 is driven by a belt-and-pulley arrangement, including a belt 36, by means
of a motor 38 mounted within a main housing 40 of the machine.
[0024] The transfer roll 12 is driven such that its forward surface portion, i.e. the surface
portion closest to the operator, moves in a downward direction so that, in presenting
the bottom of a shoe S to the roll, the operator moves the shoe in a generally straight
line away from himself.
[0025] For heating the roll, thus to retain the adhesive applied thereto in a molten condition,
heating means is provided in the form of a pipe 42 through which hot air can be directed
towards the surface of the roll. The temperature of the air must be sufficient to
maintain the adhesive molten but without creating damage to the outer skin 22 of the
transfer roll, and it has been found that a temperature in the range 85 to 145
oC gives adequate results, an optimum temperature being in the order of 120
oC. The hot air pipe 42, which is rigid, is supported in the main housing 40 for pivotal
movement about a horizontal axis 44 extending widthwise of the housing, a suitable
air connection being provided at the pivot point. The source of hot air may be provided
by any suitable means.
[0026] In other apparatus in accordance with the invention the hot air pipe 42 may be fixed;
the reason for its pivotal mounting in the present case will be explained hereinafter.
[0027] For cooperating with the transfer roll 12 the blade member 16 is disposed thereabove
(see Fig. 2), and comprises a body 46 of silicone rubber having two flat faces 48,
50 inclined at 70
o to one another, and forming therebetween a straight edge 52, which is held (as will
be referred to hereinafter) against the transfer roll surface. The straight edge 52
is arranged parallel to the axis of the transfer roll 12 and the "upstream" (in terms
of the direction of rotation of the transfer roll 12) face 48 of the body 46 is inclined
at an acute angle, preferably in the order of 45
o to a plane extending tangentially to the surface of the transfer roll 12 and passing
through the point of line contact engagement between said surface and the straight
edge 52. Furthermore, as can be seen in Fig. 2, the straight edge is offset from the
"top dead centre" of the transfer roll 12 by a short distance equivalent to a half
of the roll radius; in the particular example, the diameter of the roll is 36 mm and
the offset distance 10 mm.
[0028] In the operation of the apparatus, adhesive is supplied between the upstream face
48 of the body 46 and the surface of the transfer roll 12 and forms a pool or reservoir
"upstream" of the straight edge, which latter edge acts as a doctor blade by which
a layer of adhesive of controlled thickness is applied to the surface of the roll.
For supplying adhesive to the reservoir the body 46 is formed with an internal passageway
54 which opens into the flat face 48 via a slot 56, though which adhesive can be supplied.
[0029] At the opposite end of the internal passageway 54 the body is formed with a conical
portion 58 for seating in a correspondingly shaped conically recessed portion of a
mounting 60, the apical angle of the conical portion 58 being a few degrees greater
than than of the conically recessed portion whereby, when the body 46 is forced into
the mounting 60, a tight seal is formed about the outlet of the internal passageway
54. In this way, adhesive cannot leak between the body 46 and the mounting 60.
[0030] For holding the body 46 in the mounting 60 a ring 62 is provided which has a flanged
portion cooperating with a flange formed on the body 46 and which has two diametrically
opposed bayonet slots 66 engageable on pins 68 which project from the mounting 60.
The pins have formed therein an intermediate eccentric portion 70 on which the bayonet
slots 66 engage and means is provided for rotating the pins whereby to raise the ring
62 when secured on the pins 68 and thus clamp the body 46 in the mounting 60. The
means for rotating the pins comprises two arms 72 mounted on projecting portions of
the pins and being connected by a handle 74, the arrangement being such that, when
the shaft 28 is in its out-of-the-way position, the arms can be pivoted through 180
o, being of such a length that the handle 74 moves clear of the downwardly projecting
nozzle 14. A spring (not shown) holds the arms at either end of their movement.
[0031] The mounting 60 is itself formed also with an internal passageway 76, to which reference
will be made hereinafter, but in which, at the end immediately adjacent the conically
recessed portion, is formed a cross-bore in which a rotary valve spool 80 is accommodated,
the arrangement being such that, by rotating the spool through 90
o, it is moved between an open and closed position. For thus rotating the spool an
operator-actuatable treadle (not shown) is provided, actuation of which causes operation
of a piston-and-cylinder arrangement 94 connected through a link 96 to a lever 98
fixedly connected to the rotary spool 80.
[0032] By virtue of this arrangement, if the adhesive in the nozzle body 46 cures, which
may happen when the apparatus is left idle for an extended period, then the valve
spool 80 forms a cut-off so that where exposed adhesive is not applied quickly and
thus cures, the curing takes place only up to the spool 80 and it is only necessary
to remove cured adhesive from the nozzle body 46.
[0033] For facilitating removal of cured adhesive from the body 46, furthermore, the conical
portion 58 of the body is diagonally split, thereby facilitating the access of e.g.
forceps to the cured adhesive for extracting it.
[0034] The hot air pipe 42 supports a carrier 82 for the two side wall elements 18, which
are formed with arcuate engagement surfaces for sealingly engaging with the surface
of the transfer roll 12. As already mentioned, the pipe 42, and thus the carrier 82,
are pivotal about a horizontal axis 44, thus to move the side wall elements 18 to
an out-of-the-way position, when it is desired to gain access to the nozzle body 46.
In addition, it is desirable that the side wall elements 18 are spring-urged into
engagement with the transfer roll surface. Thus, the carrier is urged downwardly by
engagement with two spring plungers 84 carried by a housing for the nozzle 14 and,
by engagement of the wall elements with the transfer roll, is maintained in its operative
position. Movement of the shaft 28 to its out-of-the-way position thus allows the
pipe 42 to pivot downwardly about its axis 44.
[0035] The carrier 82 also supports a slide 88 on which in turn is supported a presser member
90 constituting blade control means of the apparatus. The presser member engages the
"downstream" face 50 of the body 46, adjacent, but slightly spaced from, the straight
edge and urges the straight edge into line contact engagement with the transfer roll
surface. It will be appreciated that the force exerted by the straight edge against
the transfer roll will be dependent upon the position of the presser member 90 and
this is adjustable by moving the slide 80 lengthwise of the carrier 82. To this end,
a rotary knob 92 is held captive in the slide and in threaded engagement with the
carrier so that rotation of the rod moves the slide lengthwise relative to the carrier
and thus serves to position the presser member 90 in a desired relationship with the
body 46 of the nozzle.
[0036] It will thus be appreciated that the "upstream" face 48 of the body 46 terminating
in the straight edge 52, the side wall elements 18 and the surface of the transfer
roll 12 together form a container or reservoir for adhesive supplied through the slot
56, and thus, as the transfer roll 12 rotates, a band or layer of adhesive is applied
to the surface of the roll, the thickness of the layer being controlled by the straight
edge, and indeed by the force applied to it, and the width of the layer being controlled
by the side wall elements 18. It will of course also be appreciated that the hardness
of the nozzle also influences the thickness of the applied layer and a suitable hardness
for the nozzle, in general use, has been found to be in the range 50 to 60 measured
on the IRHD scale.
[0037] When the operator applies adhesive, it is desirable that the speed at which he moves
the workpiece surface, e.g. shoe bottom, should be approximately the same as the peripheral
speed of the transfer roll 12. It is envisaged that an operator, operating normally,
will move the shoe bottom at a speed equivalent to approximately 90 rpm roll speed
(although the application of a consistent layer of adhesive to the surface of the
transfer roll can be achieved at much higher roll speeds). The speed of rotation of
the roll should preferably therefore lie in the range 75 to 100 rpm; a speed of 80
rpm has been found acceptable in most cases.
[0038] The apparatus in accordance with the invention also comprises adhesive supply means
generally designated 100, said means being adapted to cooperate with cans of adhesive
in solid form, which cans are provided with, in addition to a lid and a bottom, a
further sliding circular plate, which initially lies adjacent the bottom of the can
and which has sliding but sealing contact with the side walls of the can, the arrangement
being that with the lid and bottom of the can removed, and with the open end of the
can in sealing engagement with a heated plate or the like, application of pressure
to the circular plate urges the leading end of the adhesive against the heated plate
and melts it, but without allowing access to the adhesive by moisture from the atmosphere,
which would of course serve to cure it.
[0039] The adhesive supply means of the apparatus in accordance with the invention thus
comprises a support plate 102 (Fig. 4) by which the can is supported, upside down,
with the support plate accommodated within the lid end of the can and sealingly engaged
therewith. The support plate is carried by an aluminium casting 104 in which electrical
heaters 106 are embedded for heating the casting and thus the support plate; the support
plate is made of steel. Formed within the support plate 102 is a central aperture
108 which is aligned with an inlet end of a passageway 110 which is formed in the
casting 104 and terminates in the internal aperture 76 of the nozzle mounting 60.
In this way, adhesive which is melted by engagement with the support plate 102 is
supplied through the aperture 108 and passageways 110, 76 to the internal passageway
54 formed in the nozzle body 46.
[0040] The casting 104 is mounted on a base plate 112, forming part of the frame of the
apparatus, and spaced from the base plate 112, by means of spacer rods 114, is a top
plate 116, the arrangement being such that the distance between the base and top plates
is sufficient to accommodate a can, e.g. a 5 litre can, therebetween. The top plate
116 provides a support for a threaded support rod 118 at the lower end of which is
mounted a plunger 120, the rod and plunger forming part of presser means of the adhesive
supply means of the apparatus. The plunger is so dimensioned as to fit in the upper
end of the can and engage with the circular plate for applying pressure to the plate,
and thus to the solid adhesive to urge it against the support plate 102.
[0041] For moving the plunger heightwise a drive element 122, which is in the form of an
integral nut and sprocket, threadedly engages the support rod 118 and is held captive
between thrust bearings 124 mounted between the top plate 116 and a cover plate 126.
Thus by rotation of the drive element 122, the support rod 118 is moved heightwise.
For rotating the drive element 122 a reversible motor 128 is mounted on the frame
of the apparatus, said motor being connected through a gear box 130, which reduces
the output speed of the motor to 1/8th, the output of the gear box being connected
by a chain 132 to the drive element 122.
[0042] The adhesive supply means 100 also comprises pressure control means including a pressure
transducer 136 mounted beneath the support plate 102 by which a signal can be supplied
to a control unit (not shown) by which the operation of the motor 128 is controlled.
More particularly, the control unit includes a digital display (not shown), indicating
the pressure as sensed, and an operator-actuatable knob (also not shown), by which
the desired pressure can be selected by the operator, the unit further providing pre-set
upper and lower limits at either side of the selected pressure, and the arrangement
being such that, upon reaching the lower limit, a drive signal is supplied to the
motor to drive the plunger downwards, thus to increase the pressure, and, upon reaching
the upper limit, a drive signal is provided to drive the plunger upwards to reduce
the pressure. The control unit is a standard item obtainable from Digitron Instruments
Ltd., Hertford, England.
[0043] The reversible motor 128 is driven through an inverter (also not shown) which receives
the drive signals from the pressure control unit. The inverter is a standard item
obtainable from IMO Ltd., London, England, under the designation "Jaguar Cub" and
is operative to provide high torque on the motor at low operating speeds.
[0044] It will be appreciated that this combination of the motor drive with the pressure
control unit could, under certain circumstances, cause the plunger 120 constantly
to shunt between the upper and lower limits pre-set by the pressure control unit and
in order to avoid this, therefore, it is desirable to control also the rate at which
the plunger is driven. The adhesive supply means thus also comprises rate control
means (not shown) including a knob controlling a rotary potentiometer, whereby the
operating speed of the motor and thus the rate at which the plunger is caused to move
under the action of the motor can be set; if desired, this rate control means may
be operator-actuatable. The rate control means, it will be appreciated, serves through
the inverter to vary the frequency supplied to the motor in order to vary its operating
speed.
[0045] The movement of the plunger 120 is itself limited by upper and lower limit switches
MS1, MS2, the lower limit switch MS2 being actuated when the plunger 120 reaches its
lower limit and has thus expelled all the adhesive from the can, while the upper limit
switch MS1 is actuated when the plunger has been raised clear of the can. The micro-switches
are mounted on the machine frame for actuation by an actuator 134 mounted for movement
with the plunger 120. Operation of the lower limit switch MS2 is effective to cause
a signal to be supplied to the inverter which short-circuits the rotary potentiometer
referred to above and applies full power to the motor to drive the plunger 120 upwards
at full speed. In addition, an operator-actuatable switch (also not shown) is provided
by which the motor can be operated at full speed to drive the plunger downwards into
initial engagement with the circular plate of a new can of adhesive positioned in
the apparatus.
[0046] It will thus be appreciated that the adhesive supply means 100 of the apparatus provides
not only a means for melting adhesive appropriate to the requirements of operation,
while avoiding exposure of adhesive to moisture in the atmosphere, but also, by controlling
the pressure in the manner aforesaid, controls the rate of flow of the adhesive through
the nozzle 14.
[0047] In using the apparatus in accordance with the invention described above, the surface
of the transfer roll 12 will be maintained at the appropriate operating temperature
by blowing hot air through the pipe 42 thereagainst and thus the adhesive layer on
the roll will be maintained, albeit for a limited period, in its uncured state ready
for application, but while the apparatus is not being used, the molten adhesive will
be retained, under the pre-set pressure but not exposed to atmosphere, within the
passageways 110 and 76. A pool of adhesive will of course be contained within the
reservoir formed by the surface of the roll, the face 48 of the flexible blade member
16 and the side wall elements 18, and this adhesive will be curing, albeit slowly.
When the operator wishes to apply adhesive to a workpiece surface, e.g. a shoe bottom,
by operation of the treadle (not shown) the rotary valve spool 80 is rotated to allow
adhesive to pass into the internal passageway 54 of the nozzle body 46, whereupon
further adhesive is supplied to said pool and at the same time the operator presses
the workpiece surface against the outer surface of the transfer roll and applies the
layer of adhesive by moving the workpiece surface relative to the roll. At, or shortly
before, the end of the application the operator releases the treadle whereupon the
valve 80 reverts to its closed position.
1. Adhesive-applying apparatus whereby a layer of moisture-curable adhesive in a molten
state can be applied to a surface portion of a workpiece presented to an operating
locality (10) of the apparatus, said apparatus being characterised by
a cylindrical transfer roll (12) arranged at the operating locality (10), together
with heating means (42) for heating the transfer roll (12), and drive means (32, 36,
38) for effecting rotation of the transfer roll (12),
a flexible blade member (16) terminating in a straight edge (52) which is held in
line contact engagement with the surface of the transfer roll (12), the "upstream"
(in terms of the direction of rotation of the transfer roll (12)) face of said member
being inclined at an acute angle to a plane which lies tangential to the surface of
the transfer roll (12) and passes through the line of contact with the blade member
(16), and
two wall elements (18) arranged one at either side of the blade member (16) and extending
"upstream" therefrom and sealingly engaging with the transfer roll (12), thus to form
with the blade member (16) and the surface of the transfer roll (12) a reservoir to
which molten adhesive can be supplied from a supply thereof and in which it can be
contained,
the arrangement being such that as the transfer roll (12) is caused to rotate a layer
of molten adhesive, the thickness of which is determined by the flexible blade member
(16), is formed on the surface of the transfer roll (12) and carried thereby to the
operating locality (10).
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 characterised in that the flexible blade member
(16) is in the form of a tapering block (46) which terminates in said straight edge
(52),
and in that blade member control means (88, 90, 92) is provided whereby the force
holding the flexible blade member (16) in engagement with the transfer roll can be
varied, thus to vary the thickness of the layer of molten adhesive formed on the surface
of the transfer roll, said means comprising a presser member (90) which is engageable
with the "downstream" (in terms of the direction of rotation of the transfer roll)
face (50) of the blade member (16) adjacent the straight edge (52) thereof and is
movable in a direction towards or away from the transfer roll (12).
3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterised in that for supplying molten
adhesive to the reservoir the flexible blade member (16) is formed with an internal
passageway (54) connected to an adhesive supply and opening into said "upstream" face
(50) of the blade member (16),
and in that the flexible blade member (16) is supported in a mounting (60) therefor,
said mounting (60) having an internal passageway (76) which is aligned with the internal
passageway (54) of said member (16) when the latter is supported in the mounting (60),
and further in that the blade member (16) and its mounting (60) are provided with
conical mating faces (58), the apical angle of the projecting one of said faces being
greater than that of the receiving one thus to form a seal about the junction of the
internal passageways (54, 76).
4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims characterised in that the
transfer roll (12) comprises a core (20) of a resilient material, e.g. a silicone
rubber, and an outer surface (22) of a material which is hard in relation to the core
material and to which the adhesive exhibits low adhesion, e.g. polyethylene.
5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims characterised in that the
transfer roll (12) is supported by a split shaft arrangement (28, 32, 34) of which
one shaft portion (32) is connected to a motor (38) forming part of the drive means
(32, 36, 38) for the transfer roll (12), and the other (28) is mounted for pivotal
movement into and out of a position of alignment with said one shaft portion (32),
means (34) being provided for maintaining said portions (28, 32) in such alignment.
6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims characterised in that the
wall elements (18) are mounted in a carrier (82) resiliently urged into engagement
with the transfer roll (12).
7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims characterised in that the
heating means (42) for the transfer roll (12) comprises a pipe (42) which is connected
to a hot air source and by which hot air can be directed on to the surface of the
transfer roll (12).
8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims further characterised by
adhesive supply means (100) comprising
a heated plate (102) having one or more apertures (108) formed therein, and
presser means (118-132) for causing engagement to take place under pressure between
the heated plate (102) and an end face of a block of solid adhesive thus progressively
to melt the adhesive and cause the thus molten adhesive to flow through the aperture(s)
(108) for supply as aforesaid to the reservoir,
and by pressure control means (136) for controlling the pressure applied by the presser
means (118-132).
9. Apparatus according to Claim 8 when tied directly or indirectly to Claim 3 characterised
in that the or each aperture (108) is connected to the internal passageway (74) of
the mounting (60) for the flexible blade member (16) and the molten adhesive is caused
to flow through the aperture(s) (108) into said internal passageway (74).
10. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or Claim 9 characterised in that the presser means
(118-132) comprises a plunger (120) and a reversible motor (128) for effecting movement
of the plunger (120),
and in that the pressure control means (136) comprises a pressure sensing device (136)
for controlling the operation of the motor (128).